234 TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS OF MID-OCEAN 



arrangement, the nostril opening is about half-way between 

 the base and tip of the bill. The bill terminates in a strong 

 serviceable hook, like the beak of a bird of prey. 



This Order consists of the albatrosses, fulmars, shear- 

 waters and petrels — all of them deep-water birds, strong of 

 wing, and brave-spirited beyond all other birds. Of the thirty- 

 five species and subspecies recognized in North America, only 

 two or three ever wander to inland lakes, even for three hun- 

 dred miles from salt water. The variation in size from the 

 largest albatross to the smallest petrel is very great; but at 

 least half the species of the Order are to be classed as large 

 birds. Three species will suffice to represent the group. 



THE ALBATROSS FAMILY 



Diomedeidae 



The Wandering Albatross 1 is a bird of the southern 

 oceans of the New World; and it is the largest and hand- 

 somest species in the Order Tubinares. It has the longest 

 wings, but the narrowest for their length, and the greatest 

 number of secondary feathers (over thirty in number) of any 

 living bird. The weight of an adult bird is from 15 to 18 

 pounds, and when the wings are fully extended they have a 

 spread of from 10 to 12 feet. Either when on the wing at 

 sea, or mounted with spread wings as a museum exhibit, the 

 wings of an Albatross are so exceedingly long and narrow that 

 they have a very odd and unfinished appearance. They 

 seem to be out of proper proportion, like wings lacking a 

 proper outfit of secondary feathers. But they have their 



1 Di-o-me'de-a ex'u-lans. 



